Brian Sells Chicago · Floors

Floor repairs can be fairly easy, from cleaning to repairing small nicks in the flooring. However, if the tiles are damaged, it’s lowering your house value.  Broken tiles harm the aesthetics of the house and give it an outdated and tacky look. In case of a large number of broken tiles, we can choose between three alternatives: to repair the tiles – if the amount of the damaged ones not too great, replace the floor or glue a new tile over the old ones. In large projects like this, it might be worthwhile to hire a pro. With the amount of work required to install a new floor, hiring someone with the experience can save you time, money and a lot of body aches.   If you’re not sure and want a professional opinion, you can trust my friend Fred Scharm. Call him today at Scharm Floor Covering, (847) 298-8233, online at http://www.scharm.com/. Uncategorized
from bitly http://bit.ly/1RQYkE9
via IFTTT

Brian Sells Chicago · Walls

Painting can be one of the most inexpensive ways to improve the look of your home without too much effort. Painting jobs are one of the most common DIY projects that you can undertake around the house. Applying a fresh coat of paint or a new set of colors on your wall will make your current home look as good as new. With the right color combinations, your home will have the ambiance that you strive for. To realize this, you will need paint, a few rollers and the right paint brush all of which can be found in any hardware store or home improvement center. Before you start to paint, it’s recommended to make a few preparations. First, you should empty out the room, or at least as much as possible. Secondly, wipe the walls down, so the dirt won’t break the paint continuity. After that you’re good to go, just remember to brush before rolling. Use the roller after brushing in order to flatten out any brush marks. Cracks, structural repairs or water damage cause immediate deterioration of the wall and they require
from bitly http://bit.ly/1PT04Lh
via IFTTT

Brian Sells Chicago · When to Use a Professional

As homeowners, we want our homes to reflect our style and the current designs in the real estate market. Whether it is built on moderate- or high-quality materials, your home will need upkeep, aesthetics, and overall maintenance on regular basis to keep it in good condition. If you happened to purchase an older property, or you are looking to update your current home, some level of work and repair projects will have to be undertaken to bring your home up to the level that you desire. While many of us have the experience to handle most home projects, there are some of us that don’t. Therefore, it is essential to know which projects you can do yourself, and which requires a professional. In the course of this month, I am going to look at the common projects that homeowners embark upon, and provide suggestions on when it is best to do it yourself or seek the help of a professional. Find out more by visiting me on Google+. And if you can’t wait and want to talk to a Handyman today check out Sgt. HandyMan on Faceb
from bitly http://bit.ly/1OAUE8w
via IFTTT

Brian Sells Chicago · Holiday Sales Review

Selling or buying a home during the holiday season does not have to be a hectic task. The decision whether or not you can list your home during the holidays really does not depend on the conventional thinking that during fall and winter the real estate market comes to a standstill. The fundamental principle of home sale still holds during the holiday season as much as in any other time of the year. Although home sale prices may vary, you can still sell your home for a good price relative to its condition and the current market. If you are truly motivated to buy or sell your home, hire a good Realtor (one comes to mind immediately…) who will constantly provide you with updated comparative market analysis to ensure that your home remains competitive with the market. With the right Realtor who is familiar or knowledgeable with selling homes during the holidays, the burden of searching or selling a home will be lifted off your shoulders , giving you more time to focus on your family’s holiday agenda. If you are
from bitly http://bit.ly/22yZ1Hp
via IFTTT

Brian Sells Chicago · Homes Look and Feel Charming

It’s not a secret that many people decorate and light up their homes during the holidays. Holiday decorations spruce up a home and will increase curb appeal to ready it for the real estate market. Your home can have the best look in this time of the year. The decorations and holiday smells might invoke warm, cozy and inviting feelings for a prospective buyer. People who list their homes in the fall and winter can take advantage of this season to make their homes more warmly decorated and inviting. You can even set up a fireplace or wood stove to make a room more attracting. You can also use candles and other things to make the home smell inviting to buyers. Most home buyers are happier and more emotional during this time of year and they often base their decision on the warmth and good feeling they receive when viewing your house. While it may seem difficult to sell a property over the holidays or in the winter, you do have some ways to play up the season. And if you are truly set on avoiding the holidays, yo
from bitly http://bit.ly/1O7aiE4
via IFTTT

Brian Sells Chicago · Affordability

Smart home buyers know that home prices slightly fall as we enter the slower home shopping season when the market has cooled down, and more serious sellers are keen to get a sale. The home prices are typically lower during this time because the real estate sales are seasonal. If you’re house hunting over the holidays, then I bet you know that buying a home at this time of the year is particularly beneficial. Serious buyers that are searching during the fall or the winter are aware that they cut off some of the expenses of home purchase on their taxes. If you consider buying a home during this holiday season, there are a number of tax benefits of owning a home that you can take advantage of. The possible tax benefits include deductions for mortgage interest, tax credits for real estate taxes, and private mortgage insurance premiums (PMI). These benefits may give you the much break you’ve been looking for making the process of buying your new home more affordable. The fact that business tends to slow down during
from bitly http://bit.ly/1Y3bN18
via IFTTT

Brian Sells Chicago · Inventory and Competition

It is well known that during the spring and summer months the housing inventory is largest as most home sellers put their home on the market. But this does not mean that during fall and winter there are no properties for sale. The MLS always has homes and properties listed on it. Although the holiday season will have properties available, their number will be lower. Nevertheless, you can be sure to find a property that will suit your housing needs throughout the year, unless now your attention is totally fixated on a particular home or your list of needs is a mile long. In spite of the low home inventory in the fall and winter, the fact is that people still list their homes, especially if they are serious sellers. When there are fewer homes to choose from, the market is slower, but it is also less competitive in terms of other buyers looking for homes. Having less competition can mean no scenarios of multiple, high dollar offers on one property hence fewer counter-offers to compete against. With low supply, b
from bitly http://bit.ly/1lQbmpm
via IFTTT